“I would like to dedicate this to Chester Bennington,” said Grohl to a huge round of applause. “I know what it’s like to lose someone...”

Among the triumphant homegrown bands emerging victorious on the night were Biffy Clyro (Best British Band), Neck Deep (Best Song), Architects (Best British Live Act) and Enter Shikari (Best Album).

The winner of the biggest laugh of the night was a draw between Alice Cooper and Enter Shikari frontman Rou Reynolds. The former brought the house down by saying he was nervous to be in the same room as "Biffy the vampire slayer" while the latter offered a, well, somewhat explicit description of Shikari's creative process.

A number of special awards were also handed out to veteran acts who have shaped the sound of rock music.

Joe Perry was presented the Kerrang! Inspiration Award by fellow Hollywood Vampires band member and Hollywood star Johnny Deep, who hailed the Aerosmith guitar hero onstage as someone who was “born to be a rockstar.”

The recipient of the Kerrang! Legend Award was Slipknot/Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor.

“I’m humbled by this, I don’t look at myself like that,” acknowledged Taylor. “But if other people do; fuck it, let’s get it on!”

The ceremony closed with Black Sabbath legend Tony Iommi receiving a standing ovation from the room as he was presented with the Kerrang! Icon Award.